SAINTHOOD 101: Rules for Becoming a Saint [Catholic Caucus]

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[Salvation]

SAINTHOOD 101: Rules for Becoming a Saint

In the Catholic tradition, every once in a rare while a human being will lead a life of such incredible virtue that they are deemed to be closer to God than the rest of us, so close they can even bring about miracles. Such a person, man or woman, of any race of nationality, is declared after their death to be a saint.

Saints play an important role in Catholicism, providing a human model of perfect virtue. It is also widely believed that a saint in heaven can speak directly to God on behalf of a desperate or ill human being. Thus, for example, many Catholics pray to St. Jude when they are in trouble.

The best known saints are ancient – St. Jude, St. Augustine, St. Francis, St. Anne, etc. – but new saints are named in every generation (Pope John Paul II has canonized some 280) and undoubtedly there are people living today who will one day be sainted.

So what does one have to do to become a saint?

It's not easy. In fact the process of canonization may well be the world's most complex legal process. A person can only become a saint after their death and the long, arduous, sometimes political, process of sainthood can take years, decades, sometimes even centuries. Some candidates are never accepted by the Church, though their cause is believed by many lay-persons.

Most saints have been European and to date, there are only four American saints (another 29 American nominees are currently undergoing examination). Only one, Elizabeth Seton, a widowed 19th century New York mother of five who converted to Catholicism then selflessly worked on behalf of the poor and sick for the rest of her life, was born in the United States.

 

 

SAINTHOOD 101: Rules for Becoming a Saint (cont'd)http://www.sonypictures.com/classics/thethirdmiracle/mir-sainthood101b.html

The following are the basic steps to becoming a saint:

1) The candidate must be deceased for a minimum of five years

2) Even in our modern, fast-paced society, the candidate must have lived a life of extraordinary asceticism, self-denial, faith, good works and inspirational virtue, often helping the poor and sick

3) The candidate must be recognized for two posthumous miracles (when The Third Miracle was written, three were required) verified by a scientific board appointed by the Vatican

3) Once it is determined that the candidate has led a life of holiness, he or she is declared a Servant of God and the investigation of their candidacy begins

4) A postulator is appointed on the candidate's behalf, undertaking an exhaustive investigation into his or her life, works, writings, sayings, family life, early history, etc. – digging for any small thing that might be inconsistent with tireless faith and Church teachings

5) Witnesses (if still alive) are called to appear before a church tribunal and further evidence is gathered

6) A positioning paper presenting the case of the saint is handed to the Bishop

7) If the Bishop agrees with the evidence, he passes on the report to the Vatican's Congregation of Saints

8) If the Congregation and the Pope agree that the person lived a virtuous life, the candidate is named a "Venerable."

9) This completes the investigation of the candidate's earthly life. Now, the Congregation undertakes the investigation of the two posthumous miracles, if they have occurred. If not, they wait. The first miracle earns the candidate beatification, the second assures sainthood.

10) Miracles are intensively scrutinized by both religious and scientific authorities. Medical miracles are examined by a board of five doctors who must unequivocally determine that no other possible explanation for a cure exists.

11) All cures must be instantaneous and complete (One potential candidate's miracle – restoring the sight of a blind man – was rejected because the sight was only 90% restored). In the case of cancer, a ten year waiting period must assure that the patient doesn't come out of remission

12) If the high standards for miracles are met, the Pope bestows the title of saint on the candidate

[Salvation]

This information seems to be accurate despite the named source. Looks like comments on a movie, The Third Miracle. Anyone know anything about it?

[Salvation]

This discussion is for Catholics only. Denoted Catholic Caucus thread.

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The Process of Becoming a Saint (Canonization) [Catholic Caucus]

[Salvation]

Pope Lists Criteria for Causes of Canonization

[GOP Poet]

1) The candidate must be deceased for a minimum of five years

Okay . . . so I get to the first step and I am already out. lol. Step two wasn't looking any better. I have a lot of work to do.

[Salvation]

** I have a lot of work to do.**

I think we all do. And we better be doing the work now, because when we are dead, it is too late!!!!

[Salvation]

BTTT!

[sitetest]

“In the Catholic tradition, every once in a rare while a human being will lead a life of such incredible virtue that they are deemed to be closer to God than the rest of us, so close they can even bring about miracles.”

I don’t think this is an especially favorable way to state things.

I don’t think that we can say who, upon their arrival at the Beatific Vision, will be closer to God than whom.

All canonization means is that we are assured that the person is obtained of the Beatific Vision.

Furthermore, saints do not bring about miracles. Rather, they intercede on our behalf with God, Who performs miracles.

“Saints play an important role in Catholicism, providing a human model of perfect virtue.”

Saints, in this life, had failings, faults and errors. I’m not sure that it’s quite right to say that they are models of perfect virtue (with the exception of Mary).

[Salvation]

You address some of the misgivings I had in posting it — see my first post:

**This information seems to be accurate despite the named source. Looks like comments on a movie, The Third Miracle. Anyone know anything about it?**

Guess I might have said semi-accurate. But I definitely had misgivings. Therefore, my disclaimer. LOL!

[Barnacle]

The following are the basic steps to becoming a saint:

1) The candidate must be deceased for a minimum of five years

Well, I'm disqualified right there.